Best African Restaurants in the UK: Where to Find Authentic Dishes Near You (2026 Guide)
African cuisine continues to rise in popularity across the UK, and for good reason. The continent’s food culture is rich, diverse, colourful, and deeply rooted in community. From West African jollof rice to East African spices, and from Nigerian stews to North African grills, African restaurants across the UK offer dishes that are bold, comforting, and full of heritage.
Whether you are craving premium dining experiences, homestyle comfort food, or a lively African lounge atmosphere, the UK now hosts a wide selection of African restaurants across major cities. In this guide, we explore ten outstanding African restaurants you should visit in 2025 — each bringing its own unique flavour, story, and cultural experience.
1. AKOKO – London
21 Berners Street, London W1T 3LP
AKOKO is one of the most celebrated African fine-dining restaurants in the UK. Situated in London’s Fitzrovia, AKOKO showcases West African cuisine in a modern, elevated way. With influences from Nigerian, Ghanaian, and Senegalese traditions, the restaurant offers a refined tasting menu featuring dishes like smoked goat, jollof rice reinterpretations, suya-style meats, and innovative combinations of West African spices.
The restaurant’s name comes from the Yoruba language, meaning “the first” or “the beginning,” which reflects its mission to introduce African fine dining to a wider audience. AKOKO has gained substantial recognition for blending authentic African flavours with European culinary techniques, creating a unique gastronomic experience that appeals to both Africans and non-Africans.
With warm terracotta interior tones, contemporary African décor, and attentive service, AKOKO offers more than just a meal — it provides a cultural journey. For anyone seeking a luxury introduction to African food in London, AKOKO is a must.
2. 805 Restaurants – London
805 Old Kent Road, London SE15 1NX
805 Restaurants is a legendary name in London’s African food scene. Known for serving some of the best Nigerian dishes in the city, this restaurant has been a reliable spot for African families, students, couples, and groups for many years. Located on Old Kent Road, 805 is known for its generous portions, warm hospitality, and traditional dishes that remind diners of home.
Popular menu items include their signature pepper soup, asun (spicy goat meat), suya, pounded yam with egusi soup, fried rice, and grilled tilapia. One of their most ordered dishes is the whole grilled fish, beautifully seasoned and served with sides that perfectly balance flavour and texture. The restaurant is lively, family-friendly, and always buzzing with conversation, laughter, and good vibes.
805 has become more than just a restaurant — it is an institution for Nigerians and West Africans in London. The combination of authenticity, flavour, and reliable service makes it one of the best African restaurants in the city.
3. Mama Africa – Milton Keynes
27a Farthing Grove, Netherfield, Milton Keynes MK6 4JH
Mama Africa is a popular African restaurant and takeaway in Milton Keynes known for its home-style cooking and wide range of West African dishes. The restaurant feels welcoming from the moment you enter, offering that “home away from home” experience that many African diners look for.
Customers love Mama Africa for its freshly prepared meals, including jollof rice, fried plantain, moi moi, okra soup, pepper soup, goat meat, and grilled chicken. Portions are generous, and the flavours are authentic, reminding many customers of meals prepared by parents or grandparents back home.
What sets Mama Africa apart is its friendly atmosphere and consistent quality. This restaurant serves both African and Caribbean customers in Milton Keynes and is often recommended by word of mouth. For those living in Buckinghamshire and nearby areas, Mama Africa is a dependable place to enjoy authentic African comfort food.
4. Dudubar Nigerian Restaurant & Lounge – Luton
21 High Town Road, Luton LU2 0BW
Dudubar is a stylish Nigerian restaurant and lounge located in the heart of Luton. It offers a blend of great food, good music, and a modern social atmosphere. The space is beautifully decorated, combining a contemporary lounge feel with African cultural elements, making it popular for evening hangouts, celebrations, and group meetups.
On the menu, customers enjoy dishes like stewed turkey, jollof rice, fried yam, puff puff, nkwobi, peppered fish, and goat meat. Dudubar is also known for its vibrant nightlife atmosphere, with Afrobeats, live DJs, and social events happening at different times of the week.
Dudubar stands out because it gives customers more than just food — it offers a full cultural experience. It’s the kind of place where people gather for birthdays, catch-ups, date nights, and even business meetings. If you’re in Luton and want a mix of good Nigerian food and a lively vibe, Dudubar is a top choice.
5. African Palace Ltd – Bristol
406 Stapleton Road, Easton, Bristol BS5 6NQ
African Palace is one of the most well-known African restaurants and food suppliers in Bristol. Located on Stapleton Road — an area known for its multicultural atmosphere — African Palace serves a variety of African dishes with an emphasis on West African cuisine.
Popular meals include akara, fried plantain, grilled fish, egusi soup, pepper soup, and chicken stews. The restaurant also offers takeaway service and sells a selection of African groceries, making it a convenient stop for customers who want both cooked food and ingredients for home cooking.
Customers appreciate African Palace for its generous servings, authentic flavours, and friendly team. The restaurant plays an important role in serving the African community in Bristol and neighbouring areas like Bath and Weston-super-Mare.
6. Africfood Restaurant – Cambridge
42 Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 1LA
Africfood Restaurant is one of the few dedicated African restaurants in Cambridge, and it has built a strong reputation among students, professionals, and locals who enjoy West African cuisine. The restaurant specialises in dishes from Nigeria and Ghana, offering jollof rice, fufu, eba, pepper soup, kelewele, and grilled meats.
Customers praise Africfood for its fresh ingredients and consistent flavours. The restaurant is known for its welcoming atmosphere, making it suitable for solo diners, families, or casual meet-ups. Because Cambridge has a large international community, Africfood has become a culinary bridge between cultures — introducing non-Africans to the richness of African cuisine.
Located near the city centre, Africfood is easily accessible and a go-to place for African students and workers missing the taste of home.
7. Afrikana Birmingham – Ladypool Road
359–361 Ladypool Road, Balsall Heath, Birmingham B12 8LA
Afrikana is one of the most successful African-inspired restaurant chains in the UK, and their Birmingham location on Ladypool Road is among their most popular branches. Afrikana offers a unique dining experience that blends African flavours with contemporary restaurant presentation.
The menu includes dishes such as suya chicken, Afrikana lamb chops, grilled meats, burgers with African seasoning, cassava fries, jollof rice, and a range of desserts inspired by African ingredients. The restaurant’s décor is modern, vibrant, and stylish, featuring African art, bold colours, and ambient lighting.
Afrikana appeals not only to Africans but also to a wide audience interested in exploring African-inspired cuisine in a modern setting. It is family-friendly, aesthetically pleasing, and known for its excellent customer service.
8. Afrikana Restaurant – Leicester
132–140 Charles Street, Leicester LE1 1QB
Afrikana Leicester is another strong favourite in the East Midlands, offering the same stylish, contemporary African dining experience as its Birmingham counterpart. With a beautifully decorated interior and a trendy environment, Afrikana Leicester attracts a diverse crowd — from students to families to working professionals.
The restaurant’s menu includes a mix of grilled meats, wraps, jollof bowls, sweet potato mash, chicken wings, and African-seasoned steaks. Their mocktail selection is also popular, offering refreshing African-inspired drinks.
Afrikana Leicester stands out because it successfully merges African identity with modern dining expectations. It is ideal for celebrations, date nights, and group dinners, making it one of the best African restaurants in Leicester.
9. Kilimanjaro Spring – Leeds
379 Harehills Lane, Harehills, Leeds LS9 6AP
Kilimanjaro Spring is one of Leeds’ most recognised African restaurants, known for serving traditional East African and West African dishes. The restaurant offers a range of meals from Tanzania, Kenya, Nigeria, and Ghana, giving customers a diverse selection of African flavours.
Popular menu items include chapati, nyama choma, jollof rice, tilapia dishes, pilau, sukuma wiki, and grilled chicken. The restaurant has a warm and welcoming feel, making it a favourite among Africans living in Leeds and surrounding areas. Many customers mention that the food tastes homemade, with authentic spices and fresh ingredients.
Kilimanjaro Spring also attracts non-Africans who enjoy exploring new cuisines, especially those interested in East African dishes. It is one of the most culturally rich restaurants in Leeds and remains a strong part of the African community in the region.
10. Enish Nigerian Restaurant – Manchester
310 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4HE
Enish is one of the most famous Nigerian restaurant brands in the UK, and their Manchester branch continues to deliver the same high-quality experience that made them popular in London. Located on Deansgate, Enish Manchester offers an elegant and stylish dining environment with bold décor and a modern Afrocentric vibe.
Their menu includes a wide variety of Nigerian dishes such as jollof rice, asun, goat meat, seafood okra, ayamase stew, suya, egusi soup, grilled fish, and pepper soup. Customers love Enish for its upscale feel, generous portions, and flavourful dishes that stay true to Nigerian culinary traditions.
Enish Manchester is also known for attracting diners who want a lively atmosphere, with music, cocktails, and a social dining experience. It’s perfect for celebrations, dinner dates, and group events. Enish has positioned itself as one of the top places for Nigerian cuisine outside London.
Final Thoughts
Africa’s culinary influence continues to grow across the UK, and these ten restaurants represent the diversity, creativity, and deep cultural pride found across African cuisine. From the fine dining elegance of AKOKO in London to the homestyle comfort food of Mama Africa in Milton Keynes, and from the trendy Afrikana restaurants to the traditional flavours at Kilimanjaro Spring, African food in the UK is stronger than ever.
Whether you’re an African native missing the flavours of home or someone curious about exploring new dishes, the UK has a wide range of African restaurants ready to welcome you with open arms, rich spices, and unforgettable meals.
Afroko is here to help you discover the best African shops, restaurants, and services across the UK — connecting you to the culture, community, and flavours you love.
